Oven for gas ranges



ocnzl, 1941. J.F.HENNESSY 2,259,639

OVEN FOR GAS RANGES Filed Feb. 6,1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented oci. 21, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE "i *.olinlt. Hennessy, Rockford, Ill., assignor to Geo.

D. Roper Corporation, Rockford, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application February 6, 1939, Seria-l No. 254,757

- (i Claims.

.This invention relates to gas ranges and is particularly concerned with an improvedoven construction.

'I'he principal object of my invention is to provide an oven so designed as to secure quicker preheating, more uniform heat distribution and .better all-around eiliciency in operation.

Another object is to provide an oven .so designed'and constructed that the common objection of a hot bottom is avoided.

9 are disposed and controlledV by cocks operated by knobs I on the front of the stove. A lift cover H is hinged at I2 to swing from the lowered position covering the cookingv top to a vertical position therebehind in front of .the back rail I3 and iiue deflector I4.

The oven 5 of my invention has a bottom I5 removably supported on inwardly projecting ledges I6 provided on the bottom edges of the 'I'he salient feature of the present oven is the transmission of heat to the oven principally by convection, direct heat of radiation from the oven burner being'reiiected downwardly away from the oven bottom and special provision being made in the oven walls to set up. and induce tury bulence within the oven, so as to quickly displace cold air for quickv preheating of the oven and by the same method secure good circulation in the oven throughout its performance for uniform taining a given temperature, and to secure generally improved performance.

'I'he invention is illustratedin th accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through a gas range showing the oven construction of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a more or less diagrammatic crosssectional view through the oven, showing the parts in perspective to enable better illustration with arrows the mode of operation.

The same reference numerals are applied'to vcorresponding parts in these `two views.

'I'he range illustrated is of the low oven type in which the oven burner 3 is in a small compartment 4 beneath the oven 5 and is used only for lower opposed rack guides I1. At I8, I9, and 28 v are indicated Aother horizontal rack guides in.

vertically spaced relation above and parallel to the rack guides Il. All of these rack guides are of i sheet metal construction -andl are carried on -front and rear sheet metal pilasters 2l and 22l suitably supported in the oven so that the rack guides are in laterally spaced relation tothe heat distribution and better eillciency in mainsheet metal inner side walls 23 of the oven. :In that way, vertical passages 24 are provided behind the rack guideson opposite sides ofthe oven for the circulation of hot products of combustion from the oven .burner 3. The top Wall 25 is shown in Fig. 2 as integral with the side heating the oven, but it will be understood that the invention is also applicable to other -styles of gas ranges and may be used in double oven types with equal facility wherein the burner in addition to heating a baking oven is alsoused for broiling. While the burner 3 is of the design shown in my application Serial No.2l1,'763, filed A June 4, 1938, it will also be understood that any other design of oven burner or cor'nbinationV oven andbroiler burner suitable for the purposefmay be substituted- In `the presenty range, 6 is the hinged oven door for the oven 5,'and 1 is a closure for the burner compartment 4 which may or may not be hinged, but is preferably removably mounted in the open front of said compartment,

'so that access may be had to the burner when desired. 8 is theburner box compartment above the oven 5 in which `burners for the cooking top walls 23, but, of course, may be made in a separate piece. In any event, it will be noticed that the top corners 26 are curved and the upperA ends v21 of the pilasters 2I22 are correspondingly curved to ilt neatly inthe top corners in the oven. 'I'his inward curvature from the upper ends of the side walls toward the top wall is important,

as will hereinafter appear, in the deection of the upwardly flowing products from the passages 24 inwardly into the oven space. Each of the rack guides is formed to provide intermediate its upper and lower edges an inwardly projecting hollow longitudinal rib 28, the tops of which serve as ledges on which one or more oven racks, like that indicated in dotted lines at 29 in Fig. 2,

may be slidably supported. The second highest,

rack guides `I9 onl both sides of the oven have the lower marginal portions lbent -outwardly at an acute angle to the vertical, so as to reach y about half way across the passages 24 toward vthe side walls 23 to provide deilectors 38 in a transverse horizontal plane approximately through the middle of the oven. These deectors, as will later appear. serve to deflect a substantial portion of the products `ilowingupwa'rdly inthe passages 24 inwardly into the oven space. The lowermost rack guides I 1 are wider than the other guides, so as to provide the ledges I6 appreciably spaced below the ribs 28, and each of these rack guides has a series of longitudinal spaced holes 3| provided therein below the ribs 28 in a planev above the oven bottom I5 resting on the ledges I6. These holes permit flow of products from the oven space back into the passages 24. There .are holes 32 in the top wall 25 at the approximate center of the oven through which products can be discharged into a sheet metal iiue 33 so as to be conducted from the oven. A connecting flue 34 is vertically disposed behind the range to carry the products to theA iiue deector I4 from which they are dischargedthe burner compartment 4 has holes 40 provided i l therein at the corners of said compartment to furnish air to support combustion.

The oven bottom I5, which it will be noticed in Fig. 1' has its rear end projecting into a recess 4| provided therefo' in the inner back wall 42 of the oven, sspecially constructed -to prevent, or at least greatly retard, the transmission of heat from the burner to the oven bottom by radiation.

I provide a sheet of aluminum foil 43 between the upper and lower walls 44 and 45 of the hollow oven bottom with the bright side down so as toreilect radiant heat from the burner downwardly away from the wall 44 forming the bottom of the oven proper. This foil interferes only with the heat oi' radiation and does not disturb the convection and conduction heat factors and avoids the common objection of a hot bottom. The foil is simply spread across the bottom of the wall 44 and clamped in place by the marginal outwardly projecting flange 45'on the wall 45 in the riveting or other fastening of the latter to the wall 44. Aluminum foil is obtainable brightl on both sides, but inasmuchas it means added cost in its manufacture and because it is only n important that the bottom side be bright, I have.

specifledthe use of such foil here. Obviously, in the case of a double oven where the burner is used for broiling in addition to heating the oven, the reflection of radiant heat downwardly will increase broiling eillciency. The flanges 46 on the wall 45 leave the marginal portion 41 of the wall 44 uncovered along the opposite sides and ends of the oven Vbottom I5, and there is a series of laterally spaced holes 48 Vprovided along the back of the oven in this marginal portion. These holes permit direct iiow of y products from the burner upwardly into the oven at the rear end thereof. y. l

In operation, as soon as the oven burner is lighted, hot products of combustion flow, as indicated by the arrows a, upwardly and outwardly in all directions from the burner under the oven bottom I5, the greater portion iiowing upwardly, as indicated'atrb, in the passages 24, and a. certain amount iiowing into the oven through the holes 43, as indicated at c. A large percentage'of the hot. products rising in the passages 24 is deilected inwardly into the oven space by the deflectors 30, as indicated at d, and the balance flows upwardly and is eventually deflected inwardly by the curved top corner portions 25 of the oven side walls 23, as indicated at e. The resulting turbulencein the oven is indicated by the arrows at f and g. The incoming hot products at d displace the cold air, some of which finds its way out through the spaces between the rack guides I1 and IB and the balance through the holes 3|, asl indicated by the arrows, the cold air mixing in the passages 24 with the hot products rising therethrough. In like manner, the incoming hot products at e displace cold air from the upper portion of the oven and it nds its Way out through the spaces between the rack guides I9 and 20 and mixes with the hot products rising through the passages 24. It used to take about twenty minutes to preheat an oven for baking or other oven operations, but I have found with the present construction that the preheating time is reduced to ten to twelve minutes. 'Ihis is considered to be directly attributable tothe good circulation secured with the present construction. The good circulation, I have also found; makes for better efliciency in maintaining a given oven" temperature besides giving uniform heat distribution. Uniformity of heat distribution in so far as the oven bottom I5 is concerned is, however, attributable almost entirely to the use of the radiant heat deilecting aluminum foil 43. Diect radiation from the oven burner is cut olif by the aluminum foil and cannot therefore interfere with uniform heating of the oven. The loven is heated almost exclusively by convection, as indicated by the hot air currents shown in Fig. 2. 'I'he currents shown there are what are set up during the early stages of preheating, and, of course, there will be some changes in these currents as the temperature of the oven rises and eventually reaches an equilibrium. While I have obtained even heat distribution by directing the convection currents as herein disclosed and deflecting the radiant heat and if it were not for the fact that hot products are admitted directly to the bottom of the oven at the rear to oiset such seepage, there would be a tendency for the oven temperature to be lower at the rear end. The fact,`too, that products are discharged from the oven at thev center of the top also has a tendency toward maintaining a uniform oven temperature.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of the-objects and advantages of my invention. 'Ihe appended claims have been drawn with a view to covering all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim: v

1.*In an oven for a Vgas range comprising outer oven walls forming an enclosure having a lower inlet for air and an upper outlet for exhaustlng products of combustion, and a burner' in lsaid enclosure, an inner oven structure comprising in combination with an oven bottom disposed horizontally over the burner dividing the enclosure into an upper oven compartment and a lower burner compartment, combined rack and oven bottom supporting means and oven heat circulating means comprising' upright supports in opposite sides of the oven compartment, a plurality of horizontal rack guides mounted on said supports in vertically spaced relation to one another and laterally spaced from the adjacent side ,walls of the enclosure whereby to provide opposed vertical passages between the rack guides and said side walls for circulation of products of combustion upwardlyV from the burner compartment and openings between the rack guides for circulation of products between the passages the vertical passages and the oven compartment f for return of a certain portion of the`products into said passages before ultimate discharge from the oven through the upper. outlet, and supporting ledges on the lowermost rack guides for supporting the oven bottom.

2. In an oven for a gas range comprising outer oven walls forming `an enclosurehaving a lower inlet for air and an upperoutlet for exhausting products of combustion, and4 Aa. burner insaid enclosure, an inner ovenfstructure. comprising l oven Walls formi-ng an.' enclosurehav:

in combination with an oven `bottom v`disposed horizontally over the?, burner dividing the enclpsuintofan upper oven compartment and a lower burner compartment, combined rack and oven bottom supporting means. and oven heat circulating means comprising upright supports in opposite sides of the oven compartment, a plurality of horizontal rack guides mounted on said supports in vertically spaced relation to one another and laterallyspaced from the adjacent side walls of the enclosure wherebyto provide opposed vertical passages between the rack guides and said side walls for circulation of products of combustion upwardly from the burner compartment and openings between the rack guides for circulation of products between the passages and the oven compartment in both direcports in vertically spaced relation to one another and laterally spaced from the adjacent side walls of the enclosure whereby to providevopposed'vertical passages between the-rack' guides and said side walls for circulation of products of combustion upwardly from the burner compartment, and openings between the rack guides for circulation of products between the passages and the oven compartment in both directions, said rack guides being adapted to support ovenracks 'through which the products are free to circulate, outwardly and downwardlyv projecting defiectors on certainof said rack guides for directing upwardly flowing products from the vertical passages rinto the oven compartments, the A Alowermost rack guides having; recirculation Ioperiirigs provided therein above the oven'bottom'thus establishing communication between the vertical passages and oven bottom.

the oven compartment, and,supportingV ledges on the lowermost rack lguides for supporting the v4'. In' an oven4 for a gas rangecomprisinglouter Y Y La'lower inlet for air and an upper outlet, for'exh'austing products of combustion, and a burner in wsaid'enclosure, an inner oven structure comprising in combination with an oven bottom disposed horizontally over the-burner dividing the enclosure into an upper oven compartment and a lower burner compartment, combined rack and oven bottom supporting-means and oven heat circulating means comprising upright supports in opposite sides of the oven compartment, a. plurality A of horizontal rack guides mounted on said` supports in vertically spaced relation to one another and laterally spaced from the adjacent side walls of the enclosure whereby'to provide opposed verf tical passages between the rack guides and said tions, said rack guides being adapted to support oven racks throughwhich the products are free to circulate, outwardly and downwardly projecting deectors on certain of said rack guides for directing upwardly flowing products from the vertical passages into the oven compartment, in-` and supporting ledges on the lowermost` rackv guides for supporting the oven bottom.

3. In an oven for a gas range comprising outer oven walls forming an enclosure having a, lower Iinlet for air and an upper outlet for exhausting products of combustion, and a burner in said enclosure, an inner oven structure comprising in combination with an oven bottom disposed horizontally over the burner dividing the enclosure into an upper oven compartment and a lower burner compartment, combined rack and oven bottom supporting means and oven heat circulate ing means comprising upright supports in opposite sides of the oven compartment, a plurality of horizontal rack guides mounted on said supside walls for circulation of products of combustion upwardly from the burner compartment, and

openings between the rack guides for circulation of products between the passages and the Voven compartment in both directions, said rack guides being adapted to support oven racks through' which the products are free to circulate, out-v wardly and downwardly projecting delectors on certain of said rack guides for directing upwardly owing products from the Vertical passages into the oven compartment, inwardly and upwardly inclined deectors at the upper ends of the vertical passages for directing upwardly flowing products from the passages over the uppermost rack guides into the oven compartment, and supporting ledges on the lowermost rack guides for' supporting the oven bottom.

5. In an oven for a gas range comprising outer bottom supporting means and oven heat circulating means comprising upright supports in oppo- ,site sides .of the oven compartment, a plurality of horizontal rack guides mounted on said sup ports in vertically spaced relation to one another-- and laterally spaced from the adjacent side walls of thelenclosure whereby to provide opposed vertical passages between the rack guides and said side walls for circulation ofproducts of combustion upwardly from the burner compartment, and

openings between thoracic guides for circulation of products between the passages and the oven compartment in both directions, said rack guides being adapted to support oven racks through burner compartment, combined rackandovenV bottom supporting means and oven heat circulatingmeans comprising upright supports in opposite sides of the oven compartment, a plurality of horizontal rack guides mounted on said supports in vertically spaced relation to one another and laterally spaced from the adjacent side walls of the enclosure whereby to provide opposed vertical passages between the raclg` guides and said side .-walls` rfor circulation of products'of combustion upwardly from the burner compartment, and openings between the rack guides for circulation ot products between the passages and the oven compartment'in both'directions, said rack guides being' adapted to support oven racks through 4which the products are free to circulate, outwardly and downwardly projecting deectors on certain of said rack guides for directing upwardly ilowing products from the vertical passages into the oven compartment, inwardly and vupwardly inclined defiectors at the upper ends of the vertical passages ior directing upwardly flowing products from the passages over the uppermost rack guides into the oven compartment. the lowermost rack guides having recirculation openings provided therein above the oven bottom thus establishing communication between the vertical passages and the oven compartment, and supporting ledges on the lowermost rack-guides for supporting the ov'en bottom.

JomvrnHENNEssYlf- 7-- 

